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Grandmother praises breast reduction surgery that gave her back her life

28 March 2017

A grandmother who spent 25 years suffering chronic back pain has been reunited with the world-renowned plastic surgeon who gave her back her life after breast reduction surgery.

Gladys Healey, 65, underwent breast reduction surgery at the private Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham after being crippled with spinal pain from the weight of her EE cup bust.

The backache became so severe over time that the grandmother-of-two, from Hope, near Wrexham, could no longer climb the stairs or walk to her own kitchen. Eventually, she was forced to take five months off from her health job.

The former healthcare support worker, who is standing as a candidate for the Hope ward in the Flintshire County Council elections in May, underwent breast reduction surgery under the care of internationally acclaimed cosmetic plastic surgeon Mr Fahmy, which reduced her cup size from an EE to a C.

The mother-of-two, who worked on the orthopaedic department of the Wrexham Maelor before retiring in 2015, described the surgery as the best decision she’s ever made and said it had given her back her life.

“From the day I got out of bed at the Spire Yale I felt fantastic. The relief was instant and amazing. I literally couldn’t put it into words,” she said.

“The back problems ceased immediately and I’m no longer on any pain medication. Prior to the operation I was on very strong pain relief and at work taking paracetamol every four hours to get me through the day.

“Now I’m able to do many things I couldn’t do. My husband, David, 66, used to have to wait for me to catch up when out and about, now I’m waiting for him.

“I would highly recommend this surgery to anyone suffering like I was. I became desperate and would’ve tried anything to avoid being crippled. Mr Fahmy is a great surgeon and I cannot thank him enough for giving me my life back. I just wish this treatment was available on the NHS.”

“Not only does the look and size of the bras affect self-esteem but very often there is the need for custom-made bras that can be costly and inconvenient,” said the 54-year-old, who has 25 years’ experience in cosmetic and plastic surgery, 16 years of which as a consultant.

“It’s a life changing operation, and very gratifying because it improves self-confidence, offers more clothing choice, relieves physical symptoms and it’s even cost-effective as there is no longer the need to buy special custom bras.

“Very often, you hear patients saying ‘We feel taller’. I suppose this could be a reflection of more confidence or maybe a better posture.”

Mr Fahmy, who lives near Chester with his wife and two children; a daughter aged 14 and a son aged 12, removed 368grams of breast tissue from Gladys’ right breast and 465g from the left.

“The breast reduction surgery involves reducing the size of the breast, the size of the nipple and at the same time reshaping and lifting up the breasts,” he said.

“The surgery has a very high satisfaction rate. There is no age limit as such for breast reduction. Patients can be as young as 18 years old and I’ve had patients in their 80s.

“The majority of people can resume most daily activities within few days but it’s advisable to avoid anything too physical for six weeks.”

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